A series of meetings in January and early February will help
gauge farmers’ interest in becoming part of a cooperative that
processes and markets oilseed products.
The cooperative focuses especially on products from canola and
soybeans. It offers farmers the power to not just grow, but also
process and sell those crops for 15 percent to 30 percent more
income.
“Farmers in Georgia have to stop thinking about producing
oilseeds by the bushel, and think about producing sellable oil by
the ounce,” said Randy Hudson, coordinator of the Emerging Crops
and Technologies Center for the University of Georgia College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “This could empower them
beyond the farm gate and into the market.”
Other topics at the meetings will include:
- How the new cooperative can provide value-added income.
- An in-depth look at a recent feasibility study on an oilseed
cooperative structure. - Comments and advice from farmers in similar
cooperatives. - The structure and procedures of the closed co-op.
- Legal issues surrounding a cooperative.
- Potential support from the state.
The meetings start in Americus Jan. 22 and continue across the
state in Vienna, Tifton, Hartwell, Dublin, Midville, Calhoun,
Statesboro, Baxley, Quitman, Bainbridge and Perry and end in
Leary on Feb. 2.
Contact your county
extension agent to learn more about any of these meetings or
growing oilseeds.
